Reviewed by Jessica Dawson

Let me just start by saying that Stephanie Garber has done it again. If you’re familiar with her Caraval series, you already know she’s a master of spinning enchanting, heart-stopping tales that keep you flipping pages well past bedtime. With Once Upon a Broken Heart, a spin-off of the Caraval universe, she takes everything you loved about her previous books—the magic, the danger, the swoony romance—and turns it up a notch.

This book follows Evangeline Fox, a hopeless romantic who makes a desperate deal with Jacks, the dangerously charming Prince of Hearts, to win back her love. Spoiler alert: things do not go as planned. But let’s be honest, that’s exactly why we’re here. What unfolds is a story full of betrayal, forbidden kisses, magical curses, and plot twists that will leave you gasping like you just found out your favorite bakery ran out of croissants.

Garber’s writing is like a spell in itself—lush, vivid, and dripping with emotion. Her world-building is immersive, with every corner of this whimsical, fairy-tale-like setting begging to be explored. From enchanted ballrooms to cursed churches, you’ll feel like you’ve stepped into a dream…or a nightmare, depending on how much Jacks is meddling.

And speaking of Jacks—oh boy. Let’s take a moment to appreciate the absolute art of creating a morally questionable anti-hero you can’t help but root for. Jacks is the kind of character who makes bad decisions look like an Olympic sport. He’s infuriating, reckless, and maddeningly irresistible. Garber somehow makes you fall in love with a man who, by all accounts, should be the villain of this tale. He’s a walking paradox: ice-cold and devastatingly warm all at once. The tension between him and Evangeline is electric, and their push-and-pull dynamic had me grinning like an idiot one moment and screaming into my pillow the next.

But what really makes this book shine is Garber’s ability to balance the whimsy and the heartbreak. Sure, there are glittering castles and enchanted objects, but there’s also an undercurrent of raw, aching vulnerability that makes the characters feel so real. Evangeline is a refreshing protagonist—optimistic but not naive, bold but not invincible. Her journey of discovering her own strength and learning the price of love is as captivating as it is heart-wrenching.

If you loved Caraval, you’re going to adore this book. And even if you haven’t read Garber’s earlier series, Once Upon a Broken Heart is the perfect place to dive into her magical world. It’s a story that will sweep you off your feet, break your heart, and then piece it back together with a little stardust and a whole lot of feels.

Fair warning: you will finish this book desperately needing the sequel (The Ballad of Never After), because Garber loves a good cliffhanger. But honestly? I wouldn’t have it any other way.